The final of the 2008 NAB Cup will be most remembered for the intense heat. With the temperature still in the high 30s when the match started, and with a limited interchange rule restricting use of the interchange bench, the conditions were unpleasant for players to attempt to maintain a running game. The breaks were extended, with St Kilda taking the unusual step of moving into the changerooms at three-quarter time; but there was no escaping the fact the sweltering conditions affected the conditioning of the players.Adelaide made the early front-running, but were unable to exert any scoreboard pressure; leading by just six points at the first change. And when, against the run of play, Nick Riewoldt scored the first goal of the second term, the match was back on level terms. The contest continued to see-saw, with a super-goal to Adam Schneider during time-on giving the Saints a half-time lead.Another super-goal to the Saints during the third term saw them maintain their advantage, and a run of goals in quick succession, twice to Milne and then another from Koschitzke ensured the Saints would be holding the silverware, despite a late surge by Adelaide that finished with Brett Burton kicking truly after the siren.But this was St Kilda's night, with a welcome addition to their trophy cabinet and a boost of optimism coming to Moorabbin for the season ahead.

In weekend trial matches, Carlton won a hard-fought 9-point match over the Western Bulldogs, while Collingwood took out an 18-point win over a determined Hawthorn lineup. Geelong were untroubled by Richmond at Skilled Stadium, but it was far closer at Subiaco with West Coast just falling over the line against Essendon by 6 points. Brisbane had a 10-point win over Sydney in a scrappy match at Manuka; while the Kangaroos were comfortable victors over Melbourne and Port Adelaide were similarly impressive in accounting for Fremantle.